The volleyball season ended in disappointment. Union High School won the district championship but was eliminated in the regional semifinals by the team from Niles. It was a quiet bus ride home. The seniors were upset the most, whereas the juniors were already plotting their revenge for next year. Melody sat quietly in her seat and watched the scenery pass by as the bus headed back to Dowagiac. She thought about how happy the team had been when they won the district trophy. The team had gotten their pictures in the paper and would have a whole page dedicated in the yearbook. It was certainly a different mood now. Mistakes had been made, but no one blamed anybody. It was a hard-fought game, and from a spectator point of view, it was a very good match. Dowagiac represented themselves well and added to their reputation. Coach Heucke said little, only that she was proud of her girls and that the match could have just as easily gone their way if not for a few bad breaks.
Practice would go on, but only on days when the basketball team was not using the gym. Coach Heucke would not let the girls get soft and ensured volleyball practice would continue for the rest of the school year. However, it was not mandatory for the seniors. The purpose of post-season practice was for the juniors to step up as the next team leaders and get the sophomores ready for next season. Melody looked forward to being in 10th grade next year and not being on the lowest rung of the team anymore.
Football season ended soon thereafter, and Melody missed all the fun her and Becky had attending the home games. Even though the Dowagiac Chieftains had a losing record, the players were high school royalty. It seemed football was by far the most popular sport at the school. Both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams would begin their season after Christmas vacation. Melody wondered how much hype high school basketball had at Union High.
Both Melody and Becky got through midterm exam week successfully and were ready for Christmas break. It had gotten cold and there was an early snow. Melody rode the bus home on Friday and ran home even as the cold air burned her lungs. When she got to the house, she flew through the front door, dropped her book bag, and ran to the refrigerator for a snack.
“Melody!” Barbara cried out. “Where’s the fire?”
“School’s out, Mama!” Melody exclaimed, as she poured herself some chocolate milk. “No school for two weeks!”
“That’s no reason to run in here like a wild animal,” her mother half scolded. “Honestly, Melody.”
“Sorry, Mama. What day is Daddy coming home?”
“He should be home in a few days, well before Christmas,” Barbara answered with a smile.
***
It was a wonderful family holiday despite the fact Melody missed Uncle Frank and Aunt Holly. Winter slowly turned into Spring and with it came the warm weather Melody cherished so much. Unfortunately, with the changing of the seasons, the rains came. After a week, Melody wondered if it would ever stop. Everyone in town was forced to wear rain jackets and ponchos wherever they went. The majority of sidewalks in Dowagiac had at least an inch or two of standing water and residents had to maneuver as best they could to keep their feet dry. This was not the time for leaky old sneakers.
Finally, and just in time, the Friday kicking off Spring Break had sunshine and clear skies. Recreational fields and lawns would see very little activity for a few days, since they were still soaked with excess water that could not be further saturated into the ground. Even worse, water in the street hid the potholes that provoked foul language as motorists drove over them. Melody hoped she would be able to skate with the time she had off from school. Unfortunately, most of the roads in town were more fit for a canoe than a skateboard. When the final dismissal bell rang, Melody and Becky left their Spanish class and headed towards the waiting buses.
“I’ll be over my usual time, around five,” Becky said. “Your dad gonna be home?”
“He was supposed to come home this afternoon. With any luck, he’s already there,” Melody answered.
“I love his stories,” Becky laughed, walking towards her bus. “I’ll just bike over.”
“Well, be careful. The streets are still flooded,” Melody warned as she boarded her bus.
“See you soon. Spring Break! Woo-hoo!” Becky shouted.
When Melody got home, she was happy to see her father. “Daddy!” she exclaimed, running to hug him. “It’s Spring Break!”
“Oh, I remember those,” Douglas said, hugging his daughter back. “Long days at the lake with nothing to do but nothing. I could use a little Spring Break myself.”
“You run a lot of miles this week?” Melody asked.
“Sure did,” he said. “It’ll be nice to sleep in my own bed tonight. My back needs a real mattress, not that old bunk in the truck.”
“Is Becky spending the night?” Barbara asked as she entered the room.
“Yes, Mama,” Melody answered, turning her head towards her.
“Good, you girls can both help me with dinner tonight. We’re having French bread pizza and garlic bread.”
“Oh, that will hit the spot,” said Douglas. “That’ll beat the surprise stew I had in Indiana last night.”
Melody laughed as she ran upstairs to clean up and change. She loved Friday nights when both her father and Becky joined her and Mother at the table. It was as if Becky was her sister and she really lived with them.
Barbara had still not completely warmed up to Becky but put up a good front for Melody’s sake. She could never quite put her finger on it, but there was something about Becky that bothered her. Barbara held nothing personal against the girl, it was just an odd feeling she had, as if there was trouble on the horizon that only she could see coming. Barbara believed Becky to be different somehow, and not because she was from a big city. She never mentioned any of this to Melody for fear of upsetting her daughter but continued to accept the friendship with a wary eye. Douglas however, liked her.
The dinner table was lively that evening. Barbara listened as the other three told their stories and the newest jokes they had heard. Of course, all four of them complained about the rain. Barbara mentioned she had been waiting to start her garden again but would have to wait for the ground to dry. “I can’t grow tomatoes in a mud puddle,” she stated. “I’ll drown the seeds.”
“Oh, I love fresh tomatoes off the vine!” Becky said with enthusiasm. “Tacos are best with freshly diced tomatoes.”
“Oh, we should make tacos one night!” Melody exclaimed. “Becky, what a great idea!”
“Well just make sure I’m coming home before you make those,” Douglas said with a grin. “Barb, when was the last time we had Mexican?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Barbara admitted. “I remember the time I attempted southwestern chili. I think I can try making tacos and burritos.”
After dinner, Melody and Becky cleared the table, did the dishes, and took over the television. They stayed up late to watch the horror double feature starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. There was no popcorn in the house, but Barbara had prepared a snack tray with cheese and crackers. As the credits finally rolled after the second movie, the girls went upstairs. Melody got into bed and Becky assumed her usual spot on the floor. After laying restless for about twenty minutes, Becky whispered, “Melody, you awake?”
An answer came through the darkness. “Yes.”
“Can we talk?” Becky asked.
“Sure.”
Becky got out of her sleeping bag and walked over to Melody’s bed. Melody moved to her left, close to the edge of the mattress as Becky lay next to her. Melody was still under the blankets while Becky lay on top of them. Fearing Barbara’s super sensitive hearing, Becky wanted to get close to Melody in order to speak privately.
“What’s wrong?” Melody asked with concern.
“Nothing really. I’ve just been thinking.”
“About what?”
“Well…”
Becky was not sure where to begin. She had given it some thought, but the concept in her mind was still not complete. She was not even sure if Melody would think it a good idea.
“Do you ever think seriously about what you are gonna do after graduation? I mean, I know you are going to Florida, but do you think about how you are getting there, or what you’ll do?”
“Not lately,” Melody admitted. “I guess I’ve been more concerned about my grades right now.”
“Well, like I said. I’ve been thinking,” Becky said. “I still want to be a photographer and eventually work for the rock mags. I’ll probably have to go to photography classes, work a job, and maybe do some freelance work for newspapers if I’m lucky. I don’t know how I’ll do all that by myself in Los Angeles. I don’t even know anyone out there. I’ll be alone and broke.”
“I’ll be alone in Florida too, working a job and going to school. It won’t be easy for either of us,” Melody agreed.
“Exactly, so tell me what you think of this. We’ll be getting jobs soon, so we save up for a car and go down to Florida together. We’ll split the rent for an apartment when we get there. We can work and take our classes without being alone. It would be better financially too.”
“Well what about the rock stars?” Melody asked. “I thought you were gonna look for Vince Neil.”
“Honey, the rockers all take vacations in Florida and they go through all the big cities when they’re on tour. I can get press passes and take pictures for the big magazines or the local underground rags. Maybe if I build up my reputation in Florida, it can lead to bigger opportunities. I’m just being realistic. I don’t even have a camera yet. My mom doesn’t care what I do or where I go, and Walt is a flake. They’re just waiting for me to turn eighteen, so I’ll be out of the house. I’m not going to have anyone, and it scares me.”
Melody said nothing, she was in thought, considering this unexpected proposition. If going to Florida was to become a reality, she would need help. She wanted to be independent, but not at the expense of struggling endlessly. An eighteen-year-old woman fresh out of high school, and on her own for the first time, would surely run into trouble or dangerous situations. Melody was sure she would make new friends, but not one of them could ever replace Becky. She would miss her terribly, but now she would not have to. How fun it would be to drive down to Florida with Becky! They could go to the beach together, and maybe even Disney World.
Becky decided Melody had been silent long enough but could not see her smiling in the dark. “Just think about it, OK?” Becky asked.
Melody turned to face her. “Becky, I don’t have to think about it. It’s a wonderful idea. Let’s do it!”
“Yes!” Becky whispered with great exuberance. She threw her arm around Melody and kissed her cheeks repeatedly. “I can’t believe it! For the first time ever, I’m not worried about anything!”
The girls talked a little while longer about their plans until they finally dozed off. Becky had gotten under the covers as they spoke. A little past one in the morning, they fell asleep embraced in each other’s arms with Becky’s lips lightly pressed against Melody’s forehead.
***
The school year was rapidly coming to a close. Final exam week was the last real obstacle the students had to face before summer vacation. Melody and Becky studied Spanish and science together, while Douglas helped his daughter prepare for her geometry finals. Melody stayed up late at night reviewing old tests she had kept throughout the year. It was her father who told her to save them all, and she was glad she did. By the end of the week, Melody had aced her social studies final and did better than she thought she would on her English essay. Mister Shaddock’s statement at the beginning of the year proved to be true. Melody removed the carburetor from an 8-cylinder Pontiac 301 engine, took it back to her bench, disassembled it, identified the choke plate, throttle lever, and fuel inlet to Mr. Shaddock, reassembled it, and finally, reinstalled it as good as any boy in her class. Melody felt her proudest achievements for the year were getting onto the volleyball team and passing Mr. Shaddock’s auto class with a ninety-eight percent. She planned to return for the sophomore course.
As lab partners, Beck and Melody scored an A on their final by accomplishing the exam’s assignment. Using Bunsen burners, beakers, flasks, and rubber tubing, they successfully separated 5 grams of salt from a glass of water. In Spanish class, Melody scored both an A on the written and oral exams. Becky also got an A on the written and managed a high B on the oral portion. She was very grateful to Melody for all the help but was not looking forward to Spanish II. Becky thanked her repeatedly, but Melody reminded her that she passed the exams on her own. Still, Becky wanted to show her appreciation and found the perfect way.
The last day of school finally arrived and it was extra special for Melody because this particular Friday happened to fall on June 1st, her 15th birthday. Melody got off the bus and strolled to her first period English class wearing her faded jeans that had both knees torn out, and a “Skateboarding is not a Crime” T-shirt she had mail ordered. She even managed to leave the house wearing black eyeliner, pink lipstick, and teased hair. Her mother did not think she looked appropriate for school, but because she had done such an excellent job this year, and since it was her birthday, she reluctantly allowed it. When Barbara watched her daughter walk down the sidewalk to the bus stop, she could not help but to think back when her little girl wore adorable dresses with ribbons in her hair.
When Becky saw Melody enter the science classroom, her jaw dropped. She thought Melody looked amazing and could not take her eyes of her. She was not the only one to notice, many boys turned their heads, along with a few girls who looked her up and down trying to find whatever fault they could. Becky had also worn her torn jeans, along with a black studded belt, ragged sneakers, and a Black Sabbath T-shirt. She had also feathered her hair, just for Melody.
“Happy Birthday!” Becky said as Melody sat next to her. “What’s the plan for tonight, birthday girl?”
“We’re going out to dinner, and you are invited. Hope you like Chinese,” Melody answered.
The bell rang, but hardly anyone paid attention, not even the teacher. Textbooks had been handed in and final grades had been given out, so there was nothing to do. Mr. Freimeier simply had to babysit twenty-two students for fifty minutes. He too was looking forward to the end of the day and getting his boat out on the water first thing tomorrow morning. He allowed his students to talk quietly while he read a Popular Science magazine.
Becky pulled a black box out of her purse. “I don’t want to wait,” she said. “I’m giving this to you now.”
She handed the velvet jewelry box to Melody who accepted it with surprise. “Becky, what in the world?”
“Happy Birthday, Love.”
Melody opened the box and saw two silver chains. Attached to each chain was a half-heart pendant with inscribed letters. When the two jagged pieces were held together, the message “BEST FRIENDS” was spelled out.
“Oh, Becky, it’s beautiful. How did you get this?”
“Never you mind that,” Becky answered. “Which half do you want?”
Melody picked the charm reading ‘ST ENDS’. Becky took it from her hand and told her to turn around in her seat. While Melody held up her long loose hair, Becky put the chain around her neck and locked the clasp. Then Melody took the other chain out of the box as Becky turned around. Becky closed her eyes and got chills as she felt Melody’s soft hands on her neck. When she turned back around to face Melody, Becky saw a loving smile that melted her heart. In the back of the classroom with no one watching, Becky wanted nothing more than to give Melody a hard, passion filled kiss. However, she was not sure how Melody would react and did not want to spoil the moment. Instead, Becky spoke from her heart.
“I hope there never comes a day when you give this back to me,” Becky said, looking intensely into Melody’s icy blue eyes.
Melody threw her arms around Becky and whispered, “I’ll be buried with it.”
Tears formed in Becky’s eyes as she lay her head on Melody’s shoulder and wrapped her arms around her waist. Though she was still confused, Becky could no longer deny her feelings. She loved Melody in a way she still did not fully understand.
ns 15.158.61.20da2
